THE North Wales League, Liverpool Competition, Cheshire League and Shropshire League have suspended their 2020 seasons.

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board said that with “sadness and reluctance” all forms of recreational cricket are suspended immediately.

It continued: “This extends to training, pre-season friendlies and any associated cricket activity.

“Sport plays an absolutely vital role in the nation’s mental and physical wellbeing, and it helps people find meaning where there is fear and uncertainty, so one of our goals in the coming weeks will be to explore ways that we can support some levels of physical activity in communities - particularly at junior levels.

“Using our cricket community to support others could be one of the most important services we can offer during the difficult next few months.

“It will be critical that any decisions we do make are medically-led. And we will continue to work with Government and their advisors to ensure we are informed by science in our decision making.

“Over the coming weeks we will work with the game to understand what support is required across the cricket community, particularly local clubs and leagues, who will have such a huge role to play in our nation’s response to coming out of this situation.”

Cricket Wales echoed the thoughts of the ECB, adding: “We will endeavour to serve cricket in the best and most appropriate way possible, under the challenging circumstances we will all face in the coming weeks and months.

“We will of course continue to update you regularly, as this situation evolves.”

The Shropshire League, in which Chirk play, and the Cheshire League are in a similar position, while the Liverpool Competition have announced there will be no promotion or relegation this year.

Northop Hall, who have signed former Connah’s Quay duo Martin Burger and Darren Leach, and hoped to bring in former Bangladesh international left-arm spinner Elias Sunny, were looking to win promotion to the Premier Division this summer.

But the Liverpool Competition have confirmed that there will be no movement of clubs ahead of the 2021 season, adding: “It is our hope and intention to enable a competitive level of cricket to be played later in the summer but this clearly depends on factors outside of our control.

“Taking account of all the guidance and advice we do not expect this to take place until mid-July at the earliest, but we will monitor the situation.

“Meanwhile, we will plan for a number of eventualities and will communicate with all clubs.

“Clubs, if not already, should take appropriate action in respect of overseas players.”

Hall were scheduled to get their Division One season up and running at Fleetwood Hesketh on Saturday, April 25, while the Flintshire club’s second string were due to host Wavertree Seconds on the same day.